Karur stampede: TVK chief Vijay announces Rs 20 lakh aid for kin of deceased
Thirty-nine people have been killed and 95 have been injured in the stampede that broke out at TVK's rally in Karur on Saturday
At least 39 people, including children, were killed and 95 were injured in a stampede that broke out during a rally of actor-politician Vijay in Karur on Saturday (September 27). Of the injured, 51 have been admitted to the government hospital in Karur, where the condition of one of them is stated to be critical.
Long wait, crowd surge at Vijay’s rally
Addressing the press on Sunday (September 28) morning, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman blamed the stampede on the delayed arrival of actor-politician Vijay at the venue. He said the crowd had been waiting for a long time and lacked sufficient food and water while waiting for the actor’s arrival under the hot sun.
He said a surge in crowd was seen after the official X handle of Vijay’s TVK party said he would arrive at the venue by 12 noon.
“Permission (for the meeting) was sought between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at 12 and the crowd started coming in from 11 AM. He came at 7.40 PM. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun." "Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," he said.
‘Arrangement made for 10K people; 27K turned up’
Further, Vijay was accorded a welcome at one point, and a big crowd followed him, and he was ushered in safely to the venue by the police. "He also lauded the police...the crowd kept swelling," he said.
While the organisers put the expected number at 10,000, about 27,000 people turned up to have a glimpse of the actor, Venkataraman said.
He indicated police protection was given, anticipating about 20,000.
Asked if there were "only 500" police personnel on bandobast duty, he said the meeting venue was a public road and more police cover would have meant people would not have sufficient space.
Two days ago, the meeting of a "big party" was held here, he said in an apparent reference to the AIADMK.
Stalin rushes to Karur, orders probe
Chief Minister MK Stalin rushed to Karur from Chennai past midnight and took stock of the treatment being given to the injured at the government hospital there.
Stalin said such a tragedy with such massive casualties in a political event has never occurred in the history of Tamil Nadu and should never recur in the future.
He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured while ordering the formation of an inquiry commission headed by a retired high court judge to probe the incident.
Authorities announced helpline numbers to reach the Karur district collect office helpdesk (04324 256306 and Whatsapp 7010806322).
Heat, chaos, overcrowding, 'power cut'
My heart is shattered: Vijay
The rally, part of Vijay's party TVK’s state-wide campaign push ahead of upcoming elections, was abruptly halted as cries of "police, please help!" echoed through the venue. Videos circulating online showed Vijay pausing his speech to distribute water bottles to his supporters.
Vijay later issued a brief statement on social media: "My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital."
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Live Updates
- 27 Sept 2025 10:00 PM IST
Watch LIVE | Experts discuss the stampede, and the possible reasons
Join us LIVE for an in-depth discussion on the tragic stampede that occurred today at the TVK leader Vijay's rally in Karur. Our special guests, seasoned journalist AS Panerselvan and CS Koteeswaran from Karur GH, break down the events leading up to the tragedy, the current investigation, and the impact on the political landscape.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:59 PM IST
Watch | Reasons for Karur TVK's rally stampede
A stampede-like situation at TVK chief Vijay’s election rally in Karur on Saturday claimed 31 lives, including six children, and left dozens injured. Thousands had gathered in Velusamypuram since early morning, enduring extreme heat with little access to water or shade. As the venue overflowed, dehydration and exhaustion triggered panic, leading to the tragedy. Ambulances struggled to reach victims due to blocked routes, sparking criticism over crowd management and emergency preparedness. Watch the video to know more.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:57 PM IST
Khushbu: 'Extremely shocked'
BJP leader Khushbu offers heartfelt condolences. "Extremely shocked," she said.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:57 PM IST
Read more: Sudden power cut led to stampede, alleges TVK functionary
A woman wing functionary of Vijay's TVK has alleged that a sudden power cut led to the chaos and the subsequent stampede which claimed at least over 30 lives, including three children.
The woman, who identified herself as part of TVK's women's wing, alleged that the abrupt blackout during Vijay's speech caused widespread panic and a desperate rush toward the stage.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:56 PM IST
Read more: 'Long waits, poor crowd management triggered stampede'
The tragic stampede-like situation at actor-turned-politician Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur district, which left at least 31 dead, is being attributed to poor crowd management.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Saturday (September 27) confirmed that the death toll included six children apart from nine men and 16 women. They were all declared brought dead upon arrival at local hospitals, he said.
Eyewitnesses and locals attributed the disaster to severe lapses in crowd management by the organisers of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally. "Fans waited for hours without proper food, water, or shade," one local resident told reporters, describing how supporters, many traveling from neighboring districts, endured extreme heat for over seven hours.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:53 PM IST
Photo: Vijay pauses his speech after stampede-like situation
TVK chief and actor Vijay pauses his speech after a stampede-like situation was witnessed during the rally, in Karur district. PTI
- 27 Sept 2025 9:49 PM IST
FIR to be filed against Vijay
FIR is set to be filed against TVK chief Vijay over the Karur tragedy.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:49 PM IST
BJP leader Annamalai slams Tamil Nadu government
In a scathing attack on the ruling DMK administration, former BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai has accused the district authorities of gross negligence leading to a stampede-like situation in Karur.
Expressing profound grief, Annamalai issued a detailed statement on social media, urging the Tamil Nadu government to ensure proper medical care for all affected individuals. "The news of approximately 40 people, including children, losing their lives in the stampede at the meeting attended by party leader Mr. Vijay in Karur is deeply shocking and saddening," he wrote. "Many others have been injured and admitted to hospitals. I request the Tamil Nadu government to provide appropriate treatment to everyone. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who have passed away."
Annamalai reserved his strongest criticism for what he described as systemic failures by the state police and district administration. "It is the responsibility of the police to accurately estimate the number of attendees at a political party's meeting, select a suitable venue accordingly, and deploy the necessary number of personnel to ensure public safety," he stated. Reports of an electricity cut during the event only compounded the outrage, with Annamalai labeling the government's and police's "extreme carelessness" as "worthy of severe condemnation."
He further alleged bias in security arrangements, pointing to a pattern of favoritism. "The DMK government deploys the entire district's police force to provide protection for meetings conducted by DMK members, but it has become a habit to neglect adequate safety measures for events organized by opposition parties," Annamalai charged. Calling for swift accountability, the BJP leader demanded that the DMK regime "immediately provide due compensation to the families of the deceased" and launch "a full investigation into whether this accident occurred due to insufficient protection arrangements, as well as the power outage."
He insisted on "strict action" against those responsible, emphasizing that such lapses erode public trust in the administration. The incident has reignited debates on event safety protocols in Tamil Nadu, especially ahead of the state's political season. Vijay's TVK, which has been gaining traction as a potential third force in Tamil politics, has yet to issue an official response, though party sources expressed devastation and vowed to cooperate with authorities.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:41 PM IST
Defence Minister Rajnath: 'The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking'
"Deeply anguished by the tragic accident at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on his X account.
- 27 Sept 2025 9:35 PM IST
CPI(M) demands Madras High Court suo motu probe
In a scathing critique of crowd management lapses at actor-turned-politician Vijay's rally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) demanded that the Madras High Court take suo motu cognisance of the devastating stampede that claimed at least 31 lives, including numerous children, during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) event in Karur.
In a strongly worded statement issued from Chennai, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu State Secretary Comrade P. Shanmugam expressed profound grief over the loss, reserving sharp criticism for the rally's organizers and the fans' disregard for safety protocols. "The fact that so far 40 people have lost their lives trapped in a crowd at the TVK leader Vijay's propaganda meeting in Karur today is extremely shocking.
The fact that many of them are children is a great tragedy," Shanmugam said, extending the party's "deepest condolences" to the bereaved families on behalf of the Marxist Communist Party. He underscored the unprecedented nature of the calamity, noting, "Such a loss of life has never occurred in any propaganda meeting." Blaming the episode squarely on the "actions of the fans who declared 'We will not subject ourselves to any restrictions," Shanmugam argued that this "reckless attitude" was the primary cause, compounded by inadequate planning from the TVK leadership.
